| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 01/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 34 |
| Copyright: Other |
CECTA keen to drive tourism sales forward
Body to boost business and leisure travel
THE Central European Countries Travel Association is modelling itself on the Pacific-Asia Travel Association and aims to become as well recognised.That will mean setting up PATA-style chapters in major markets around the world, including the US, Japan and the Far East, according to CECTA chairman Terry Coates.
“PATA started as a small idea 40 years ago – now it’s the driving force of tourism to the Pacific and Asia region. It’s an amazing success story,” he said.
“There is no reason why CECTA shouldn’t make the same kind of impact representing the interests of central Europe.”
Coates launched CECTA in March last year with the aim of boosting business and leisure travel to its five founding members – Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. “There’s a willingness among countries to work together at many levels and in tourism there are no complications. In partnership, our members can grow the market,”he said.
“The catalyst for CECTA membership was that the countries wanted to position themselves as being part of central Europe rather than eastern Europe – it was that simple.”
CECTA has three prime aims – to educate the industry, to pressurise airlines for improved fare structures and to lobby governments for increased promotional funding and easing of border controls.
The association acts as an ‘umbrella tourist board’.
CECTA’s first big event took place at World Travel Market last November, when former ABTA president John Dunscombe chaired an open debate that attracted high-level participation from all sides.
Among the speakers were Hungary’s deputy tourism minister Peter Kraft, Czech Tourist Authority marketing director Jana Kucerova and Robert Kepinski, of Poland’s State Sports and Tourism Administration.
The debate was deemed so successful that CECTA hosted a seminar at the Holiday World 2000 tourism fair in Prague in February.
Among the topics discussed was the ease of cross-border travel within central Europe, facilitating flydrive holidays.
CECTA has launched a travel industry Web site (www.cecta.org) that will eventually link directly to its Visit Central Europe consumer site (www.visitcentraleurope.com).
Chief executive Gill Wilson said: “The Web sites provide detailed information on all the member countries – from operators to hotels and airlines – and enable us to compete in the global arena.”
Common goal: Coates and Wilson are determined to promote the central European region
CECTA action plan
CECTA’s strategy sets out the following objectives* To develop a working relationship with all branches of the travel industry.
* To harness the industry’s resources in a drive to expand the market.
* To increase long-stay traffic.
* To develop education programmes for both trade and media.
* To position central Europe in the consumer’s mind as a single destination with a multitude of offerings.
* To focus on the arts, music, culture and outdoor leisure activities.
CECTA action plan
Association update
quotes“The CECTA initiative will help to develop interest in markets that have until now remained largely untapped.”
Rudolf Richter, UK and Ireland director, German National Tourist Office
“All five tourist offices are very proactive. Working with each other through CECTA is the way forward for us.”
Ewa Binkin, tourism development manager, Polish National Tourist Office
“Central Europe is a fun place to visit. We need to become better known to the British public and we can do it through CECTA.”
Gabor Tarr, UK director, Hungarian National Tourist Office
“The central European region collectively has so much to offer. CECTA will help us to project a new brighter image.”
Dagmar Gillespie, UK and Ireland director, Czech Tourist Authority
“We need greater promotion of the variety of activities available. CECTA offers a better return on marketing investment.”
Oskar Hinteregger, UK and Ireland director, Austrian National Tourist Office